1. European Exploration and Settlement
The Beginnings of the “New World”

2. Background – People in Europe had no knowledge of the Americas
Marco Polo went to China in the late 1200s
Came back with tales of riches
Encouraged men to seek a safe sea route to China

3. Background
Renaissance – a “rebirth” of ideas – Dark Ages were left behind
Science became important
New inventions and new technology

4. Background
Christopher Columbus – Italian sailor that wanted to find a western route to China
October, 1492 – discovered many island in the Caribbean Sea
Discovered the “New World” – not America
Opened the way for many more explorers

5. Background
The Columbian Exchange – a transfer of people, plants, animals, and diseases across the Atlantic Ocean
Corn, potatoes, and chocolate to Europe
Disease (small pox, measles) to Native Americans
African slaves to the Americas

6. Background
Spain began their conquest of the Americas by sending conquistadores
Cortez defeated the Aztecs
Pizarro defeated the Incas

7. New Spain
Spanish borderlands – by 1600 Spanish territory – Florida to California
Soldiers built presidios – forts
Catholic priests built missions to convert the Indians
Native Americans were treated very badly – beaten, killed, enslaved, wiped out by disease

8. New France Champlain – built a trading post called Quebec
Jacques Cartier – sent to North America to discover a Northwest Passage (a shortcut to China)
Claimed Canada for France
Discovered beaver fur
Champlain – built Quebec
Became a base for explorers, soldiers, fur trappers
Farmers and settlers stayed home
Didn’t conquer the Indians, stayed friends with them
Champlain – built a trading post called Quebec
Became a base for French explorers, soldiers, missionaries, traders, and fur trappers
Farmers and settlers stayed home – harsh climate
Didn’t conquer the Indians, but made friends with them

9. Robert de La Salle – explored the entire length of the Mississippi River – planted a flag and claimed everything west for France and named the area Louisiana

10. The First English Colonies
John Cabot claimed land in the New World for England in 1497
Roanoke – 1st attempt at settlement – failure – still a mystery

11. The First English Colonies
Jamestown – 1607 – first successful English colony
Located in Virginia – hot, swampy, full of disease-carrying mosquitoes

12. The First English Colonies
John Smith took charge – work or starve
Captured by Powhatan and was to be executed
Pocahontas saved his life

13. The First English Colonies
“the Starving Time” – Smith went back to England and the settlers began to starve without his leadership

14. The First English Colonies
Jamestown survived – Pocahontas is kidnapped and held hostage – she meets and marries John Rolfe
John Rolfe saved Jamestown by growing tobacco

15. The First English Colonies
Women and slaves arrive in Jamestown in 1619

16. New Netherland
1609 Henry Hudson discover a river full of fish and claimed the area for the Dutch (Hudson River)
Native Americans sold Manhattan Island for beads, blankets, and iron pots (value $24)
New Amsterdam – Peter Stuyvesant – governor
The English wanted the area – James, Duke of York, took over the colony without firing a shot